Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 45831 — Continental, OH

ZIP code 45831 (Continental, Putnam County) is in USDA zone 6a: the coldest winter night averages −10 to −5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 22 and the first fall frost October 24.

Where ZIP 45831 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone6a−10 to −5 °F

Coldest night−23.3 to −20.6 °C

Last frostApr 22

First frostOct 24

2012 zone6a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 6a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Continental, OH…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Continental, OH

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 22median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 8only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 24median — 10% chance by Oct 11

Growing season183 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 10 and returns around November 4.

From the NOAA station Defiance, OH — 13 miles away, elevation 699 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 45831

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Apr 1

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 25 – Apr 8

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 29 – May 13

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 6 – May 20

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 29 – May 13

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 29 – Sep 12

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 10 – Nov 14

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 22) and first fall frost (Oct 24) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 45831 came on Mar 22 — 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4).

average
Apr 42026
Mar 22

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 6a in Ohio

565 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Ohio, and rated by the USDA to survive −10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 6a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Continental, OH.

Soil in Continental, OH

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 45831 is Roselms — silty clay loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Roselms silty clay loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 45831; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Continental, OH

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July

Winter low18 °Faverage low, January

Hot days17days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights127nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,148base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 08 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 12 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation38 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall11 inper year; 16 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Defiance, OH (13 mi away); precipitation: Ottawa, OH (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 6a.

458376a

Dupont, OH · 6 mi

458646a

Miller City, OH · 6 mi

435486a

New Bavaria, OH · 7 mi

458736a

Oakwood, OH · 7 mi

458276a

Cloverdale, OH · 8 mi

Ohio planting zones →

Questions about 45831

What planting zone is ZIP code 45831?

ZIP code 45831 (Continental, OH) is in USDA hardiness zone 6a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −10 to −5 °F (−23.3 to −20.6 °C).

When is the last frost in Continental, OH?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 45831 is April 22; after May 8 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Defiance station.

When is the first frost in Continental, OH?

The median first fall frost near 45831 is October 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 183 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 45831?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 25 – Mar 11 and set transplants outside around Apr 29 – May 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 45831 get?

About 38 inches of precipitation a year and 11 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ottawa station).

How hot do summers get in Continental, OH?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 17 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 45831 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Roselms at the center of ZIP 45831: silty clay loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Continental, OH in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 45831 came on Mar 22 in 2026, 13 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Continental, OH?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 45831 is 15 h 08 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).